Meghan Markle Refuses to Attend Michael Che’s Show: ‘HE’S A TOXIC MOCKER’

Meghan Markle has recently declined an invitation to attend Michael Che’s show, labeling him as a “toxic mocker.” This decision comes amid lingering resentment over a particular sketch on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) that aired in May 2018. During a ‘Weekend Update’ segment, SNL took a satirical jab at Markle in a skit revolving around the hypothetical invitation to King Charles III’s coronation.

In this controversial sketch, Michael Che quipped, “It was reported that the organizers of King Charles’ coronation have officially invited Meghan Markle. And this is nice: at a starting salary of $19 an hour,” as a photoshopped image of Markle dressed as a maid appeared behind him. The joke, insinuating that Markle would be offered a low-paying role at the coronation, was met with mixed reactions. Some viewers found it humorous, while others criticized it as being in poor taste.

One viewer commented, “LOL!! Meghan is the one who said that she wanted to be paid for her appearances for the Crown. They’re giving her more than minimum wage. She should be happy.” This remark suggests that the viewer perceived Markle’s previous statements about being compensated for royal duties as grounds for the joke. Another comment read, “Yes! It’s about her behavior & actions. The clapping seals always inject melanin into the discussion. The Pavlov’s Dogs chorus line,” which highlights the polarized opinions surrounding Markle, with some focusing on her actions and others bringing race into the conversation.

The mockery did not stop in 2018. In December 2023, SNL took another swipe at Markle. During another ‘Weekend Update’ segment, Colin Jost joked about a Christmas photo released by the royal family, which featured a poorly photoshopped image where Prince Louis’ finger appeared to be missing. Jost quipped, “This is sweet; Meghan Markle said she has a finger they can use if they need it.” This joke, again targeting Markle, reignited discussions and criticisms about SNL’s approach to comedy at her expense.

Markle’s decision to avoid Che’s show underscores her sensitivity to such public mockery and the lasting impact of SNL’s satirical portrayals. Her reaction also reflects a broader issue of how public figures, particularly women of color, are often subjected to intense scrutiny and ridicule in the media. The repeated targeting of Markle by SNL can be seen as part of a pattern of behavior that has fueled her discontent and influenced her decision to distance herself from individuals associated with such ridicule.

In defending her refusal to attend Michael Che’s show, Markle emphasizes her stance against what she perceives as toxic behavior in comedy. This incident highlights the broader conversation about the boundaries of satire and the responsibility of comedians to consider the potential harm their jokes can inflict. For Markle, the repeated jokes at her expense are not just humorous quips but part of a larger narrative that she finds damaging and unacceptable.

Meghan Markle’s refusal to engage with Michael Che’s show sends a clear message about her unwillingness to tolerate public mockery that she deems harmful. It also sparks a discussion about the ethics of comedy and the fine line between satire and insensitivity, especially when it involves public figures who have been the subject of relentless media scrutiny.